by Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Tuonoblu Rex, the American-sired, Italian-bred, and Dutch-trained son of Cantab Hall, entered Friday’s (April 21) $20,000 Preferred Trot at the Meadowlands with a healthy amount of hype following an eye-catching qualifying win in his first appearance on Big M soil two weeks ago.

Lisa Photo

Tuonoblu Rex confirms he will be a force in the older trotting ranks with a victory in his first race in America at The Meadowlands on Friday evening.

After grinding past millionaire Crazy Wow with a :27 second final quarter to win in 1:52.1 in his North American parimutuel debut, the bandwagon might need some more seats.

Tuonoblu Rex sat third as Crazy Wow showed the field through fractions of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:24.4 for three-quarters while Opulent Yankee chased from the pocket. Around the final turn, Andy Miller launched the 5-year-old, who earned nearly $200,000 during his 14-race European career, first-over after the 3-5 favorite Crazy Wow. The two trotters battled down the stretch, but Tuonoblu Rex had enough late to win as the 2-1 second choice.

“We were very pleased with him,” said trainer Julie Miller. “He definitely met our expectations tonight. Andy said he was perfect to drive. He has trained down great since arriving in the U.S.”

Tuonoblu Rex is owned by Cees J. Faber’s Stable Why Not. He is eligible to the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands on Saturday (May 6) as well as the Cashman Memorial and TVG Free-For-All Series.

In the $18,000 pacing mare feature, Breeders Crown champion Call Me Queen Be settled for second in her 4-year-old debut behind the sharp Inittowinafortune. The 3-5 favorite Penpal disappointed with a late-closing, but non-threatening third place finish.

Hall of Famer John Campbell won three races for the second straight Friday night. Corey Callahan also won three.

Total handle was $2,502,644 for the 11-race card.

Racing resumes Saturday (April 22). Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.